January 19, 2026

From Abby - THIS is life eternal

Is it the gospel fire in your eyes?

Or your scuffed tracting shoes? 

January 12th- January 18th 2026
Hi all :)
Happy Happy Pday

There are so many things I want to say to you 

currently sprawled in the middle of my living room, the sun is streaming in and I'm currently experencing the peace that passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7)

Currently Sister Williams is at departing activities.. So weird.. Second comp I'm killing, Shoutout Sister Orton (Danielle)

Monday January 12th we piled Sister Hethcote, Dodge, Williams, Secrist, Rhinehart and I into our sunday school president Brother Halls basement to help come to fruition the legendary parody of Bruno Mars song "I think I wanna marry you" adapted cleverly to "I dream of being sealed to you"
The entire space of time between 2:00pm to 5:00pm was riddled with giggles, music, and PURE joy. From Sister Dodge perched on a bench with her guitar, to Sister Hethcote being my literal boyfriend on the drums, to five of us crammed into the hot insulated sound proof booth to clap a rythym, to ukelele wedding bells- Every peice slowly orchestrated itself beautifully into this humorous parody we have been singing for months since it was thrown into the cherry hill group chat (Written months before that)

but this time ACTUALLY professionally recorded by the Pleasant Grove Bay of Pigs Rock Opera :) (Yes brother Hall is a legend) 

me and Sister Dodge ^

Needless to say, If spotify wrapped existed for my samsung music... You KNOW which song would be at the top 

any missionary in the UOM that gets this email you've been trusted not to spread this about the mission, and to keep it safely tucked in your samsung music, kay? Thanks.

Monday night we had the longest deepest, and greatest conversation with Sister Williams about going home. There are so many factors of survival, obligation, twisted parenting, responsibility, and less than ideal circumstance. We talked of good things to come, an Eternal God, and a beautiful plan.

We were able to see that Halls again that night and they talked her through the tears 

Our weekly planning got a tad cooked bringing Sister's to the Doctor but don't fret we were able to bring whiteboards and grind it out in the burning sun in the car :) 

Yes we went to Chubbys after and learned of all of Sister Hethcotes non member tales 

Oh how I love her 

Tuesday night Annie, a young women in the Suncrest 3rd ward opened her mission call, everyone in her family as well as us and some people from the ward crowded into the warmly lit family room.  Her loving father started with a prayer and with tears in her eyes Annie read outloud her mission call. 
I couldn't help but reflect on over a year ago when I was the one in that living room with family gathered around waiting in anticipation for what was to come 

she was assigned to labor in the Maryland Baltimore mission and we all rejoiced with her. 
Time goes on and on, you can never be too self aware or grateful in any given moment because it feels as though it will be gone before we realize its there 

WATERBOTTLE BATTLE

I dont know what it is about Sister Williams but larping is our name when its after 9:00pm in the Suncrest apartment. 

There was one day this week where we had a WHOLE play acting BRAWL. Through the kitchen down the stairs, with a waterbottle, out the front door on the floor etc. Just us pretending to ATTACK eachother. AH it sounds crim but I just love her. 

Wednesday morning we were able to go to the temple as a zone and I just LOVE the temple.

My favorite thing about the Orem temple Endowment is ascending and descending these massive marble stairs, everyone dressed in white going up and down the stairs, sun streaming in, and overwhelming Peace.. It truly is the house of the Lord 
 

Also were able to have dinner with Trish :)

She's a doll 

I have to come back and visit her or I think she'll come for me

Sister WIlliams last District council this week.. Sad

With it being Sister Williams last week she was recruited by brother Hall to do a voice over commercial thing...? Don't really know 

Trust we made it productive with lunch hours and second comp studies 

Catch her being a voice actor in like 2 years 

I got to see Louise again this week 

with all of my heart and soul I want Louise to kick this addiction and come to the waters of baptism.. We introduced to her the 15 step stop smoking program and the first step of this program is to take a pack of cigarettes and CRUSH it with your hands 

after I read it aloud Louise took her FULL pack and said "Let me see if I'm strong enough" and CRUSHES IT. HUH?? 
It was a powerful moment and I'm so proud of her. 

We made a plan to go ALL in on the program February 1st (She lost Henry this month so it's hard.. Wow I want to meet Henry) 

Felt the spirit ENTER a room when teaching about the Premortal life with our Lexi Girl <3

Finally got our recent convert Debbie to the temple!! She's a sweet 70 year old woman and the whole time I was living in fear and underestimating her.. I feel like Baptisms for the dead is hard level in the temple fr. 

There were some Elders in the temple from our mission and they were able to baptize her and us :) Something about a confident priesthood holder

Here's our sweet Debbie 

Had a porch lesson with our friend Orlando who we've been trying to meet with for AGES. 
He tried to tell us that the house was messy and we said "Hey, Its a nice day" 
Porch lessons for the WIN 
Sometimes we be sitting with someone and they're like "Hey don't mean to be rude but I don't want to be baptized" And you're just sitting there and you SEE them in white and you just can't wait for the spirit to teach them all that God has in store for them.
Give Orlando like 5 years he'll get there :)

Had dinner with the McCleskeys again and discussed all things discipleship and joy

some really deep topics, like why do we need to be sealed to achieve true exaltation? 
Sister Williams also shared her POWERFUL testimony that Jesus Christ IS joy. That joy is knowing christ. Sister McCleskey shared this scripture 

John 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

My life's quest is to continually know God, and Jesus Christ. 

We crashed Sister Hethcote and Sister Secrist's miracle hour since we had to bring them chicken :)
We walk in and they relay to us the story of Sister Secrist SLAMMING the car door on Sister Hethcotes head XD I think She said the phrase "It was in the way" (View quote book below) 
Curse sleepover rules being banned

I don't know if I could count all the conversations we had about Sister Williams going home with members.. It seemed like every two seconds they would spawn by her and say "Well aren't you about done?" or "When do you fly out?" or "What are your plans?" 
I admire her patience and kindness with people because I'm not even the one being asked and I'm annoyed.. It's criminal 

what's even more criminal is this one guy in the stake that LEGIT is trying to set his son up with Sister Williams.. Like THREE different times on sunday bro would sleuth on over and drop some fact about his son and then look expectantly at Sister Williams for some imagined answer.. Strange. 

Note to Mom and Dad or any parent on this email chain; dont.. Just dont XD

I really am going to miss Sister Williams, since the first day we became companions I knew she was going to refine me, and help me change to become the missionary I wanted to become. 
I don't think I've ever laughed more in my whole life then these last two transfers of us being companions

I just LOVE her. 

Clingy little friend 

The Suncrest 3rd young women threw a big brunch for Sister Williams to say goodbye and it was simply sweet to see how loved She is. Many tears were shed as pancakes were munched, and in moments like those you realize life is simply sweet. 

Sunday night in an informal nature we all sat around our living room when the transfer board dropped.. I don't think I realized that this was the LAST transfer board that I would be on.

I think the spirit of peace enabled us to open it in a casual nature 

Sister Rhinehart and I are staying in Suncrest and who's joining us?
SISTER ATWOOD. MY BABY. MY LIL RAT TRAINEE

I brought her into this world and now she's taking me out of it. No one else I would rather have kill me 

Again I felt a sense of Peace that it was right, little did they know I felt strongly that Sister Atwood would be the one to come :) So cool.

God is real, Jesus Christ is mighty to save, Life is good. 

-Sister Smith 

Concerning quotes from the week 

January 12th 2026

"Sister Smith is like the bit perpetrator"

"One eternal grind"

-Sister Rhinehart

"I would wife up this park job"

-Sister Williams 

January 13th 2026

"If manipulating men to be gentleman is wrong I don't want to be right"

-Sister Williams 

"Is this what its like to be a polygamist?"

-Sister Williams in reference to trio 

S Smith "Poly Gamist.."

S Williams "Wow thats like a title elder chapin would have.. Poly Gamer!"

"Just cause I grew up in a cult doesnt mean I cant be normal.." 

-Sister Rhinehart 

"Either change your dream or change your attitude"

- Sister Williams

January 16th 2026 

"I feel like a swag sassy teenager right now 

...not mentally, just physically" 

-Sister Rhinehart 

"Do you ever look at our companionship and think are we all autistic?"

-Sister Williams 

January 18th

"It's rush hour!" *sis smith says about gas station*

"it's drug hour bruh"

- Sister Williams

"Earlier this morning I was closing a car door and Sister Hethcotes head was... In the way-"

-Sister Secrist Voice message to nurse pulley

"We're teaching gay jews guys!"

-Sister Hethcote 

P.s. 

Sealed to you is coming.. 

From Dad - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Dear Abby,

I'm sorry it's been so long since we wrote you. No excuses. Let's see what we can share from December that might be interesting to you.

There were 4 main events that stood out to me last month.

1. Stephanie and Tyler coming for a Christmas visit with our wonderful grand-daughters.

How joyful it was to spend time with our long-distance family. We loved that they took the time and expense to come home and spend 5 days with us. We were blessed with a white Christmas and we tried to soak it in as much as possible from decorating the driveway tree, to snow angels, snowmen, snowball fights and sledding in the snow. Little children make it oh so delightful. 

We all had to try and win Margo's favor this time around. Some succeeded more than others and I wasn't as favored as others. I caught a few sneak cuddles but mostly exchanged smiles across the room.

I was so amazed and blown away when Bowie read me a book and is speaking so clearly now. She is growing up  fast and we love every moment. 

The crazy event was when Josh and Madison showed up on Sunday for the gift exchange and Josh was down for the count. He braved his way through the family moment and shortly after headed to hospital for an adventure with his appendix. So thankful for the miracles that happened to allow him to get it operated on and have no ill side-effects. 2 special priesthood blessings helped immensely.

2. Gathering with the local kids for Christmas eve and day

It was fun to lay in bed with Mom and listen to the happy chatter as Mia, Sam, Josh, Ben and Madison opened their stockings. We just had to get up when we heard you on the phone as well. We enjoyed the present opening and of course the crepes for brunch.

3. Being with my Mom and some of my siblings for her birthday

After Christmas and our traditional Boxing Day trip to Southgate Mall, we took Sam Ben and Mia with us to church in Hinton on Sunday. I was grateful for their willingness to participate. Ben and Sam gave wonderful talks and Amelia sang “Consider the lilies” for a musical number. it is always wonderful in a small branch to have new people come and speak and provide variety to our meetings. This is my second Christmas there, and I really have learned to love the members of the Hinton Branch. After church, we headed straight down to Cardston and enjoyed spending my mom‘s birthday with her and some of my siblings who were able to make it. We enjoyed playing games eating wonderful food, visiting and catching up. 

4. Bruce gathering.

On the 30th we broke tradition and had the Bruce Chinese Christmas in Sterling instead of Sparwood. Given that there are so many Bruce siblings there now and grandma and grandpa are considering moving their eventually, uncle Dave and aunt Jen rented the church for the afternoon and evening and we enjoyed playing games and sports and of course exchanging Chinese Christmas gifts. 

We have a gift for you from grandma and grandpa that is very special. For  each one of their grandchildren they took the time to create wooden boxes in which they placed two of their favorite spiritual books, as well as a book of Mormon and their testimony and picture. They felt strongly the need to share with each of us, their abiding testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ and how important it is to them and how much they want all of us to have the blessings of the gospel in our lives both now and an eternity. We have one waiting for you as well as for Steve and Tyler. Don’t forget to check Maroni chapter 10 verses three and four for a special surprise. 

Part of the story behind them making these gifts is that they were super sick for about two months and kind of had a dose of mortality and thought about if they were to die today would their children and grandchildren truly know how important the gospel was to them. Grandma Bruce said it turned out to be a two month long date as they work together to build the boxes and compile the contents. I’m excited for you to see it and feel their love because of it.

We doubled up at Bruce’s as we just had to spend new years in Sparwood and soak in potentially the last time in that house. Speaking of soaking, we actually remembered our swim suits and hit the hot tub. 

Mom got me a high end pasta maker for Christmas. It has an automatic crank and it is is amazing how much that makes a difference as it allows me to make the pasta by myself. Bring on the homemade pasta diet!

I’m going to tack on a recent update. Right now we are in Cardston and last night we had the joy and pleasure of going through the temple with Benson for his first time. He has felt a strong desire to make something wonderful of his life and has felt the whisperings of the spirit urge him to get them Melchizedek priesthood, go to the temple, and prepare for a mission. He has a joyful and peaceful countenance, and it was a great experience to be there with him and with a bunch of the Bruce family. Auntie Kurri  was so joyful and thankful. 

A side benefit to being down here is mom is able to work with Siobhan on her paintings for her poetry book and while she’s doing that, I had the opportunity to go visit my sister Carol and help her out and just get caught up with her. She is so excited about her new teeth. Her teeth have been bad for so long. They finally decided to take them all out and give her dentures. Her smile is beautiful. I also spent Saturday morning with Ben and loved the opportunity to get all caught up. You’re all doing so many wonderful things in your individual journeys. 

Enjoy every minute of this last transfer. Well done thou good and faithful servant. 

Love, 

Dad